(S23) - PT 4 - The Butterfly Effect

[Colabear]

It was in my Sophmore year of college at Notre Dame when the coach came to me before the season began. He didn't beat around the bush, "I want you to play safety this season" he said flatly. It wasn't a question really, and certainly back then as a young college student I wasn't going to argue and risk my spot on the team.

He went on to explain that with our senior safety leaving the school there was a hole in the defence and we had some promising cornerback recruits. But he felt it would be much easier to train them up in that position than have them learn the whole defense and position switch at the same time. He also felt my vision, tackling, and ability to read the game would make me an ideal free safety.

It was a rough transition early in the season needing to see the whole field and read much so much more than I did when playing at cornerback. I also suddenly had to face tackling some big bodied running backs and tight ends. But after a few games and a lot of video review sessions I started to feel at home in the middle of the field with a chance to make plays on every play rather than just when the ball came my way.